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Looking at the GSA vehicles, I notice large pickup trucks, SUVs,
minivans, and some full-size sedans. I also notice UCAR Security
personnel driving around in a new behemoth-sized SUV. It is
understandable that pickup trucks may be necessary for field project
deployments, and that the shuttle vans need to be large to accommodate
many passengers. But there are many instances of single/double
passenger transportation, where a small vehicle will suffice. For those
instances, why are there not more fuel-efficient, cleaner vehicles in
the fleet?

Does the UCAR-issued government identification card really work for
airport security? Or would you just hear, "What's this? Show me a real
ID," in the security line?

If it really works with TSA, it would seem to be a good thing to carry
routinely as a backup during travel (both official and personal) in
case of a lost wallet, stolen purse, etc.--if kept separately.

I have one, but have seldom used it, and then only for confirming
eligibility for government hotel rates. The issue date is more than ten

"In terms of legal issues surrounding disclosure, by law the federal
government is required to disclose all federal employees' pay. Many
states and local governments are also required to disclose employee
pay. UCAR is a private corporation, and not covered by these laws."

I have a "U.S. government identification" card issued by UCAR. On it,
"NSF (UCAR)" is listed as the "Issuing department or agency." The
issuing officer is a UCAR HR administrative assistant. According to the

I recently learned that employee charges through the cafeteria had been
duplicated. I was suspicious when I saw my payroll deductions from the
cafeteria were much higher than they should have been, but I only
learned about it through a co-worker because a message about the error
had been circulated just to the admin_net email alias.

Additionally, in the past, I have heard stories from other employees
who were charged for more than they purchased, and they only caught the
error because they happened to save their receipts. I was wondering if

Note: This question is the third in a series that includes #598, #600, and #602.

In response to Delphi Question #600, Bob Roesch wrote: "If you believe
you have evidence of discrimination or if you have concerns that you
may be a victim of discrimination, you should not hesitate to bring
this to the attention of your Human Resources representative or to me
personally."

Now that the salary information is no longer available, how are we
going to know if there are discriminatory practices in regards to pay?

The response to Delphi Question #600, a follow-up from Delphi Question
#598 concerning termination of the open salary policy, did not address
the issue of why this change was done with minimum visibility. The
follow-up question documented thoroughly how the announcement was
obscured. It is additionally noteworthy that not even division
directors knew about this very significant change to policy.
Furthermore, it was done on the very day that NCAR changed directors.

The aging vending machines at FL2 and FL4 have become increasingly
unreliable. At various times the machines will not accept coins, will
not give change, or will accept money but not dispense products. Many
of us have left multiple sticky notes indicating problems.

The people at the vending company that services these machines are
cheerful when called, and they seem responsive to each sequential
problem, but it is annoying to have to call the company again and
again. When the machines are broken on evenings and weekends, the only

The following appeared in Today@UCAR's daily announcements on
Friday, October 24:

"NETS is beginning the process of replacing all of the UCAR
telephone desk sets to a newer version to take advantage of
several technology advances. The new phones will be rolled out in
phases over the next few months. A detailed announcement will be
sent to your group a week ahead of the actual change."